Subi sweep the 'Dogs

Subi are one step closer to a first round finals bye after over-coming the Bulldogs by 44 points at Medibank Stadium.

A spirited South Fremantle side led the contest for a majority of the game; but a dominant second half by the Lions set up an important win.

Sam Menegola continued his exhilarating form with 35 disposals and three goals. Menegola has been named amongst Subi’s best players three games in a row.

Michael Wood did the damage on the scoreboard for the Lions kicking five majors in one of his best performances of the year. Kyle Halligan kicked two and has developed into a very dangerous player around the goals.

The win puts Subiaco in a strong position as they look towards finals football. The Lions are three games ahead of second placed West Perth who face East Perth tomorrow. If the Falcons lose, Subiaco go four wins ahead and will be virtually un-touchable.

This could mean a first round finals bye for the Lions, which will become vital as Subi manage the health of their side.

The Lions were inconsistent with their disposal early and made critical errors in the first quarter but managed the first goal of the game. Matt Boland put the Lions on the board with a set shot before the Bulldogs capitalised on some sloppy play. Boland was injured shortly after and left the ground.

Believe it or not South Fremantle’s 3.3 was third highest score any team has recorded against Subiaco in 2015. Cory Dell’Olio, Hayden Schloithe and Jacob Dragovich found the goals for the Dogs in the first term.

Subi needed to clean up their ball movement to attack South Freo in the second quarter and got instant reward with a major to young forward Michael Wood. Momentum shifted as quickly as the powerful wind blowing over Medibank Stadium and Josh Pullman continued to challenge the Lions with his second. Kyle Halligan returned serve with a big mark and kick before Josh Pullman had an equally big answer for his third. The Bulldogs led by 12 at half time.

The game was on the line in the third and Subiaco found the all-important first goal through Michael Wood. A contentious high contact on Ashton Hams gave South Fremantle an instant reply as frustrations started to boil over. Halligan took advantage of that frustration with his boot and kicked a beautiful running goal from 50 out.

The sides then went goal for goal in one of the most intense quarters of the season. The Lions managed to get ahead five goals to two in the quarter and held a six-point lead at three quarter time.

The Lions established their dominance in the last quarter and out-worked the fifth placed Bulldogs to breakaway. Three more goals to Michael Wood and an impressive display from Subi’s midfield comprehensively closed out the game and gave the Lions a 44 point win.

Chris Deluca was a welcome returns to the Lions line-up Photo: Flashflood Photography

TALKING POINTS

WOOD STANDS TALL:

Subi entered the match-up with South Fremantle without leading goal-scorer Shane Yarran and when key forward Matt Boland down in the first quarter concerns might have been raised on the Lions ability to score. Luckily for Subi the in-form Michael Wood took to the challenge and created a dominant target to kick towards. Wood finished with five goals straight.

CLEAN SWEEP:

The Lions have beaten South Fremantle in every fixture in a season for the first time since 2008. The two WAFL clubs have been heavyweights over the last decade and provide the occasional spectacle. Today was building as a classic between the cross-town rivals but fizzled out in the last quarter.

POWERFUL ENGINES:

Subi over-ran the Bulldogs despite a busy day for the medical staff. Matt Boland went down early with a lower leg injury. Boland has unfortunately had a stagnant year after leading the goal kicking for the Lions in 2014. Jordan Bestry and Chris Deluca both spent time on the sidelines after big hits but Subi's superior fitness was evident in the second half. The Lions ran out the game like premiership sides should.

QBE MAN OF THE MATCH:

Sam Menegola wins it for the second week in a row and the fourth time this year. Menegola has shown freakish ability since his return to the WAFL and will undoubtedly recieve interest in the AFL off-season for clubs looking for big, athletic midfielders. Menegola had 35 touches and three goals against the Bulldogs. Congratulations to Ashley Pemberton who wins a signed Subi guernsey!

THE GAME WAS WON WHEN:

A big last quarter surge blew South Fremantle out of the game. The Lions kicked seven goals to one in the last and 12-3 in the second half. It was a resounding response to a lacklustre Lions start.